ECLECTIC :

2: Composed of elements drawn from various sources; also: heterogeneous(Definition from Merriam-Webster)

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NCAA and the Big Ten Career TD Record: Montee Ball 83!!

Don't know if you have it? Try leaving yourself a comment.

I no longer comment where word veri abounds

Wouldn't YOU Like to Join the Kids on MY Block???

Chat, Chat, Chat!!!

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Get comfy, have a cuppa java, and enjoy my place.

BUCKY ROCKS!!

Brunhilda and Borris

At Lake Wazeecha. Click our photo to find our very own blog!

I Had a Little Contest - - -

.To name my "Grand Old Dame."But you, my bloggy partnersGave her much more than a name,You gave her a poignantstoryAnd one sweet hour of fame.

Thank You

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And Woody Says - - -

Woody Paige puts fun and witty sayings on his chalk board on the ESPN show, "Around the Horn"

Here are my faves from Paige:

* "Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon!"

* "Those who throw dirt only lose ground."

* "I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger."

* "The road to success is always under construction."

* "I fish, therefore I lie."

* "Dear Algebra, stop asking us to find your X, she's not coming back and I know Y."

* "Teamwork means never having to take all the blame."

* "I barely survived yesterday and now it's already today!"

* "Do you call Santa's helpers subordinate clauses?"

* "So, how many days DID it take to build Rome?"

* "Cancel my subscription, I'm tired of your issues."

* "Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday."

* "Don't sweat petty things . . . or pet sweaty things"

* "Two wrongs are only the beginning"

* "Worrying works. 90% of the things I worry about never happen."

* "I finally got my head together, and now my body is falling apart."

* "When I'm finally holding all the cards, why does everyone decide to play chess?"

* "Legend: A lie that has the dignity of age."

* "A diamond is forever: The payments are longer."

* "When in doubt, mumble: When in trouble, delegate: When in charge, ponder."

* "I don't have an attitude; I have a personality you can't handle."

* "When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!"

* "It is better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot."

* "An eye for an eye leaves the world blind."

* "Sports do not build character, they reveal it!"

* "Dust is a protective coating for fine furniture"

* "I'm in shape - round IS a shape."

* "Money talks, but all mine says is "good-bye."

* "If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?"

* "Love is blind but marriage is a real eye-opener!"

* "A dog has an owner. A cat has a staff"

* "I'd like to have more self-esteem, but I don't deserve it!"

* "Red meat is not bad for you. Fuzzy green meat is."

* "Nothing is fool proof to a talented fool."

* "Bacteria - the back door of a cafeteria."

* "Nostalgia isn't what it used to be."

* "Stressed spelled backwards is desserts."

* "As I said before, I never repeat myself."

* "Corduroy pillows: they're making headlines!"

* "Young at heart, slightly older in other places."

* "(I'm) proof that evolution can go in reverse"

* "My reality check bounced"

* "If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn?"

* "I hate people who steal my ideas before I think of them."

* "I was uncool before uncool was cool."

* "Middle age: When your age starts to show around your middle"

* "Do not disturb, I'm already disturbed."

* "If an open door is ajar, is an open jar adoor?"

* "March Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change."

* "Telepath Wanted: You know where to apply!"

* "The information went data way"

* "I'm bilingual - I speak English and SMACK!"

* "Mental floss prevents moral decay."

* "Why use a big word when a diminutive one will do?"

* "Why is abbreviation such a long word?"

* "I can see clearly now, the brain is gone."

* "Every morning is the dawn of a new error"

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Quotes of Note

You're born a male but you have to CHOOSE to be a man" - Herm Edwards

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" - Unknown

"They err who think Santa Clause comes down through the chimney; he really enters through the heart." - Mrs. Paul M. Ell

"Thankfully, our true roots are in heritage and not things. I just need to keep reminding myself that things are only reminders of heritage." - Keetha Broyles, June 21, 2010

"Tears lubricate the soul." - from "Finding Buck McHenry"

"Somehow you must come to understand that God is love, that love is the proof of God, and forgiveness is the proof of love." - The Priest in "Levi's Will" by W. Dale Cramer

"The truth about a man is in what he does, not what he says." - W. Dale Cramer in "Levi's Will"

"Fairy Tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." - G. K. Chesterton

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Bloggy Awards

From Debbie at "There's an Angel on my Porch"

Created by Shannon

From Shannon

From Cry

From Debby at "Just Breathe"

From Carol at "Old Glory Cottage"

From Lori E at "Family Trees May Contain Nuts"

From Molly, Vivienne, and Mub

From Kyooty and Lori R at "Altered Glass"

From Vivienne at "The V Spot"

From Grace at "Growing Old With Grace, Lynn at "It's a July Thing", and Joycee at "Granny Mountain"

Friday, March 30, 2012

Goodness - - - where did today go? I don't know, but I'm here now at the tail end of the day putting up my pitiful little fragments for all the world to see.

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Just in case y'all missed it, I had a very "exciting" week which involved modeling some new fashion bling. Check it out here. Now, don't stop at the FIRST picture or you'll miss the blingiest bling.

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About time I bring the grans back to the party, don't'cha think? This is little Miss Pipes stylin'

Look at that pose with the little toe turned in - - - so precious!!!

And she is precious until the diva shows itself. You know, that old alter ego diva thing.

"There was a little girlWho had a little curlRight in the middle of her forehead.And when she was good,She was very very good,But when she was bad she was horrid."

I think the poem was written for one of Piper's ancestors.

Big brother Mackinley is growing up too fast. His Kamma would like to pull that "M" shirt right off of him and replace it with a beautiful red one with a white "W" - - -

But his Michigander daddy says he'd throw that beautiful red shirt AWAY if I did.

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Even in Central Wisconsin spring is trying to sprung. (WAY early for us - - - we still had a foot of SNOW last year at this time.)

Lilac leaves are pretty much out - - - trees are in full bud - - - and some daffies and tulips are blooming.

My tulips have a bud or two - - - but after 2 weeks of 80 degree days, we're freezing at night again.

I HOPE all my flower buds don't freeze their little "b's" off!!!

The day lilies are sprouting up too. But they don't bloom 'til summer, and being as tough as cowboys in the wild wild west, I think they'll be just fine.

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I've talked about our Shepherd's Loft before. Today I just wanted to show you that when we want to have a fellowship we can push all our clothes racks out of the way and VOILA - - - a fellowship hall again!

The racks have wheels - - - works like a charm.

Last Friday I showed you our TRIP of goats down in the Loft. We are "tweaking" them to look better.

They got colored and each was given a red heart telling when he/she was sent from us out into the world.

Nicodemus is the goat I named.

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Last Sunday at church we had special missionary guests from Kosovo. Following worship they served us a traditional Albanian tea.

I was just delighted with the little tea glasses, saucers, and tiny little spoons.

Though the tea was piping hot, the flared lip on the glass made it comfortable to hold for drinking even without a handle.

I googled these tea cup sets and found that they are Turkish.

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Anybody remember the snack plate/cup sets from the 50's and 60's?

My mom used to have two or three sets of them which she used to serve refreshments at ladies' functions. I don't know what happened to her sets - - - but lately I've been WANTING a set or two of my own, mostly for nostalgia reasons.

Wednesday someone GAVE me two plates and four cups.

GAVE them to me - - - wow!

I even found the perfect spot for them in my kitchen cabinet.

Now I just need to get a few more then we can PAR - TAY!!!

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Head on over to Mrs. 4444's placeAnd check out all the other Friday Fragments.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

I can't quite give him the ringing endorsement that I gave Russell Wilson when he transferred to Wisconsin last fall because I didn't see as much of this QB playing for his former team.

However when I heard today that Danny O'Brien, former QB of the Maryland Terrapins, has chosen to make a graduate transfer to Wisconsin and will be immediately eligible to play the QB position for us this fall I did some research. Unlike Russell Wilson he comes with 2 years of eligibility.

Not too shabby, eh??? Gives me more hope for a Brighter Badger Gridiron this fall.

Thursday is the day when lots of folks like to share their vintage thingies in a lovely party hosted by our friend Coloradolady. If you want to join in, there's a link at the bottom of this post.

What I have to share today are not my things. I found them in our County Historical Museum and they caught my eye and my camera lens.

Just look at this unusual desk. It has some pretty neat vintage thingies (like stereopticons) on top of it, but right now I'm just interested in the desk itself.

When the two side "wings" are closed, as above, you really can't tell exactly WHAT kind of thingie it is. I just knew it was a thingie I'd never seen before!

Well, wonder no more!!! It's called a Wooten Desk after the Quaker minister who invented it.

I was especially interested to see that Pastor Wooten was from Indianapolis - - - GO COLTS!!!

And when he said he likes a lot of compartments, he means he likes A LOT of compartments.

I don't guess he needed much room for writing - - - not much desk top available for THAT.

Maybe he didn't plan his sermons ahead - - - - - (just sayin')

On closer inspection of the written description I see that the writing desk is supposed to slide out of there somewhere, but is now missing. I guess I better apologize to Pastor Wooten for doubting his sermon planning skilz.

I googled and found some of these whose asking price was $25,000 - $35,000. I don't guess I'll run out and buy one tomorrow.

I found this collection of doctor's pills and potions fascinating.

Not fascinating enough to TRY any of them, mind you.

An old blue cook stove. I think I might like to HAVE one of these.

We grew up with a wood stove in our kitchen and it was WARM and toasty in there - - - especially on the side that you had FACING the stove. ;-)

A great little Hoosier. This one has both a flour bin/sifter and a sugar bin. I've always wanted one of these - - - maybe some day.

I won't paint mine gray though.

Have you ever heard of one of these???? Me neither. But here is one:

I believe it is the rolled undercarriage that gives this cabinet the name "possum belly."

I googled it and found images of some that were way prettier than this one. But those of you that love the distressed look will simply die over this one.

Most possum bellies did have a removable cabinet top and were in fact the predecessors to the Hoosier.

You gotta wonder though, who wants a POSSUM in their kitchen? (Which is REALLY an opossum - - - but that's for the science lesson and not the vinitage thingie party.)

Most of you will probably recognize the milk/cream separator on the front right corner.

You young whipper snappers probably don't know anything about cream floating on top of milk - - - more's the pity.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Sometimes just the right accessory can set off an outfit and highlight your "look."

Besides - - - it's fun shopping for and buying all that bling.

Even more fun when it is gifted to you, as was this lovely turquoise necklace from my youngest daughter.

However, this week I was made "privy" to the NEWEST look in accessories. One word of warning here - - - these accessories may not be for EVERYONE, they are expensive and the look is rather "je ne sais quoi."

So, without further ado I introduce to you the newest line of fine bling:

First we have the all-in-one nose ring-earring-necklace. This is especially nice since it will adjust, kind of a "one size fits all."

Of course we all know that in fashion it is often about the layers - - - and so it is with this new line of bling.

One may layer the terry turban with the all-in-one necklace for THIS stunning effect. You may choose to use this combo, along with an eye patch, for "pirate day" each year.

To the side

And last but certainly not least, you may complete your ensemble with the fingerless glove.

These are all the rage in evening wear.

Of course, these are not readily available at your local "Claire's" just yet. Right now you have to visit the closest CCU in order to obtain them - - - and let me just tell ya - - - the price tag is a real killer.

Oh, maybe I shouldn't use "killer" and CCU in the same sentence - - -

(No Keetha's were harmed or destroyed in the filming of this blog post.)

(I'm back home and though diagnosis-free, am feeling like a new person today, so don't worry or fret a bit.)

(By diagnosis free I simply mean they said what is NOT wrong with me but could not explain what IS wrong with me - - - most people can't, so I wasn't too surprised.)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

In a previous post I introduced you to Shadowlawn and told the story of Isaac, Charlotte, and Jere Witter who once lived there.

Today for Sunday in My City, I want to take you on a tour through the lower level of this majestic home.

Today Shadowlawn is a private residence no longer. It now serves as the South Wood County Historical Museum.

However, my interest in this series of posts is in Shadowlawn, the home. So I ask you to use your imagination - - - try to look past the museum exhibits and occasional clutter to "see" the house as it once must have been.

To help us with this mental imaging, I'm including a floor plan of the first floor.

The room which once served as Isaac Witter's library is now the museum office and I didn't photograph it as it was occupied by gals going about their daily office tasks.

Now, please come with me through the front door - - -

And into the grand hall which runs from front to back of the house.

One of the first things to capture our attention is this magnificent chandelier framed by - - -

The grand stairway.

On either side of the stairway are halls, one leading to the main floor bathroom as well as the side entrance to the kitchen and the other to the entrance from the Porte Cochere, which those of us who are less classy would call the car port.

Across the hall from the grand stairway is the entry to the formal living room. Gorgeous pocket doors are usually hidden in the walls.

The living room is now serving as one of the museum galleries. You can still catch glimpses of what it once was - - - the hard wood floors, the radiator under the window, and the ceiling.

A living room window. I don't believe these window treatments are original, though I do think they give us a hint of what might once have hung there.

I am not including here photos of the kitchen area, as there is nothing the least bit "kitcheny" left there.

This however, is an elevator which Isaac had installed just off the kitchen. Though it is no longer in operation, it used to run all the way up to the third floor.

It was installed at the base of - - -

The back, or servant's, stairway. This portion of that stairway leads only to the second floor.

Coming out of the kitchen, into the grand hallway, one finds themselves on the edge of the dining room - - - now a display of a turn of the century sitting area.

The fireplace is original to Shadowlawn and was on the interior side wall of the dining room.

At the narrow end of the dining room opposite the grand hall end, on the exterior wall, is this lovely bow window.

And now, one of my favorite spots in the house - - a view into the side of the solarium.

This piano stands today in what was once the breakfast room, just outside the solarium. You will notice that the flooring here is the same as in the solarium.

This is a view into the solarium from the dining room.

Though now a board room, the solarium once served as Miss Charlotte's sitting room.

We think this is the flooring she chose because there is an old black and white photo of this room as her sitting room, and this flooring is clearly visible in that photo.

There is a story that goes like this: when the servants had finished their labors for the day, Miss Charlotte would sometimes invite the "girls" to change into their BEST clothes and come to sit with her in her sitting room. I hope she served them tea.

One of those servant girls had a young daughter who lived with her mom in one of the third floor servant rooms. That young girl, now a grandmother, has memories of dressing up and sitting with Miss Charlotte in this very room.